The magic of the oldest cup competition in the world is well and truly alive because sixth tier side Maidstone beat Championship promotion chasers Ipswich Town 2-1 to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup.
It was the biggest shock of the round as the National League South club became the first team from outside the top five divisions to reach the fifth round since 1978. The two teams are 98 places apart in the league pyramid, though they were closer last season when only two divisions separated them; but while Ipswich were promoted to the second tier the Kent side dropped down a league.
Ipswich could have been out of sight in the early exchanges but they were denied by the woodwork three times and, totally against the run of play, they went into the half time break a goal behind. Jamaican striker Lamar Reynolds put the Stones ahead, with a brilliant chip, the visitors first shot on goal. The hosts drew level, early in the second half, when Jeremy Sarmiento slotted home but the Tractor Boys could not get another shot past Stones keeper Lucas Covolan, and when Sam Corne bagged a dramatic second for the underdogs the hosts were seriously winded… and they never recovered.
Relegated from the National League last season the Stones are in good shape to make the play-offs, currently in fourth place; though runaway leaders Yeovil look like taking the automatic promotion spot. But a fifth round tie, away to either Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry City, will be a real money-spinner and could help launch a climb up the league ladder for the Maidstone minnows.
But hey, the lowest ranked club in the competition has already won away to a Championship side, and one which is higher up the table than either of these two.
Champions score away to Spurs…at last
The favorites, according to the latest FA Cup 2024 betting odds, came through a tough game as Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur in the Friday night clash of the round. While it keeps Pep Guardiola’s side on track for a second consecutive treble it was a blow to his opposite number Ange Postecoglou, who has seen his last chance of ending Spurs’ trophy drought this season disappear without trace.
It’s incredible to think that Manchester City had failed to score at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since it opened in 2019, and it looked like they would be frustrated again as Kevin De Bruyne, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva all missed big chances. But with City’s 102nd shot at this ground they finally broke their duck when Nathan Ake poked over the line on 88 minutes. Spurs complained that Ruben Dias had impeded keeper Vicario but to no avail and the Sky Blues ran out 1-0 winners.
In other FA Cup 2024 news, Liverpool made it through to the fifth round with an emotionally charged 5-2 win over Norwich City. Much loved manager Jurgen Klopp has recently announced he is leaving the club at the end of the season and he was greeted by a huge roar from the crowd as he stepped onto the hallowed Anfield turf. The Reds were 2-1 up at the break thanks to goals from Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez. Diogo Jota and Virgil Van Dijk made it 4-1 before Borja Sainz kept the canaries in it, until Ryan Gravenberch rounded off a great day for the Liverpool faithful. Even without Mo Salah this side is full of goals and the players clearly want to win something for their boss.
Under pressure Magpies are through
Newcastle fans, and their manager Eddie Howe, breathed a sigh of relief as they negotiated their Fourth Round tie away to Fulham, thanks to goals from Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn. Here at SBOTOP we thought the Cottagers would have the edge in this tie but Fulham boss Marco Silva made wholesale changes to his team with a crucial league match against Everton only two days away.
In the end the Magpies had a relatively comfortable afternoon to take their minds off their Premier League woes, and now they are in the last 16 and with a nice draw away to either Blackburn Rovers or Wrexham. Howe and his team are under serious pressure, well off the pace in the league and with problems in the transfer market. The manager put a strong team out but striker Miguel Almiron, who is being courted by Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab, was missing.
Longstaff fired home the opener though the Fulham players were annoyed as they thought Bruno Guimares had handled in the build up, but there was no controversy when Burn made it 2-0 on the hour, giving Howe and his team a much-needed boost.
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